Beer thread?

@Sbooker , I've been a passholder at Snowbird for several years and I don't have a glass like that. Envious. I do have some pint glasses from a half dozen other ski areas scattered around North America. The one with the most cachet is probably Mad River Glen.
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A few minutes later the sunset was nice!
You should be watching for green flashes at sunset on the Florida Gulf Coast as we did in summer 2020. Do not look directly at the sun until the sun is at least half set. The brighter, yellower and more uncomfortable to watch in those last minutes, the more likely the green flash as it requires a very clear sky.

Jimk is by far the most serious road warrior on FTO.
 
I thought I'd posted this before, but it keeps showing up as a draft so trying again.

Bought a four-pack of Altamont Beer Works Maui Waui. https://www.altamontbeerworks.com/our-beers says "A single malt IPA that is light in body & color; with a soft bitterness. Mosaic and Citra hops give strong aromas & flavors of guava, pineapple & mango. 6.5 % ABV" I've been to the warehouse style brewery at least twice. It's in an area that is more known for red wines and is at least a half hour closer (way more on Fri PM) to skiing than home.
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@Sbooker , I've been a passholder at Snowbird for several years and I don't have a glass like that. Envious. I do have some pint glasses from a half dozen other ski areas scattered around North America. The one with the most cache is probably Mad River Glen.
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I’ve got quite a few glasses from USA and Canada ski hills but I’ve never skied east of the divide so no MRG. Maybe in the future.
 
I thought I'd posted this before, but it keeps showing up as a draft so trying again.

Bought a four-pack of Altamont Beer Works Maui Waui. https://www.altamontbeerworks.com/our-beers says "A single malt IPA that is light in body & color; with a soft bitterness. Mosaic and Citra hops give strong aromas & flavors of guava, pineapple & mango. 6.5 % ABV" I've been to the warehouse style brewery at least twice. It's in an area that is more known for red wines and is at least a half hour closer (way more on Fri PM) to skiing than home.
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Like the can art!
 
An interesting road trip to be sure. And those sunset pics are wow. I hope the beer was good. Is Florida known for a particular beer brand?

I don't think Florida is too well known for craft beer, but there is one from Florida that I've seen around parts of the USA that's pretty good: Jai Alai IPA by Cigar City Brewing Jai Alai is perhaps the most recognizable beer from the Cigar City Brewing craft house. This flagship brew is an American-style India Pale Ale that’s characterized by its amber color, citrus aroma, and distinct bitterness. The beer is named after the traditional Basque sport of the same name that was once played in Florida.

Any hipster neighborhood in the USA has craft beer. This includes Florida cities (Miami Wynwood, Ft Lauderdale Fat Village/Oakland Park, Tampa Ybor City, St. Petersburg Midtown, etc. Just look for the hipster dress code and you will find a microbrewery:

The best hipster outfit ideas can seamlessly bring together grunge, vintage, and punk ideas to express one's state of mind. It is an alternative rustic look with a modern, funky spin. Distressed jeans, ankle boots, neon colors, bold prints, hats, denim, and plaid are commonly found elements in hipster outfits.

This stands out even more in Florida in 90f heat plus humidity. Man buns (less so these days) and beards are included.

Again, lighter beers from Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean dominate due to weather, but there are local breweries that are successful. Obviously not as many per capita as other states/regions.

Florida-known beer brands: here
  • Funky Buddha. I just wrote extensively about this topic in this thread a few days ago. Oakland Park, FL -based...a more hipster part of Ft. Lauderdale. Again, it was purchased by an F500 Company - Constellation Brands. The company has more than 100 brands in its portfolio. Wine brands include Robert Mondavi, Kim Crawford, Meiomi, Simi Winery, Ruffino, and The Prisoner Wine Company. Constellation's beer portfolio includes imported brands such as rights in the United States to Corona, Modelo Especial, Negra Modelo, and Pacífico, as well as American craft beer producer Funky Buddha. Spirits brands include Svedka Vodka, Casa Noble Tequila, and High West Whiskey, Nelson's Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey. Therefore, it was well-distributed. Popular beers are Hop Gun IPA, Floridian Hefeweizen. Can find it on East Coast.
  • Cigar City. Like @jimk said, it's the best-known brewery from the Tampa Bay area. I like the Jai Alai IPA. Nice reference to a dying SoFL sport.
  • Wynwood Brewing Company. Miami's Wynwood oldest and best.
  • Islamorada Brewing/Distellery. Sandbar Sunday Wheat. Islamorada is a famous fishing island mid-way in the Florida Keys, and infamous for sandbar boat meetups on Sundays
Worst Florida Beer - Jimmy Buffet's Landshark Lager. A poor Corona knock-off by Buffet and Budweiser - even bought stadium naming rights. A little sad after Jimmy Buffet took Corona from a poor man's Mexican beer in the 1980s to a Lifestyle Beer "Fun in the Sun":
Realizing that it had inadvertently stumbled upon lightning in a bottle, Corona went so far as to co-opt the title of Buffett’s seminal 1977 album, “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes,” for a subsequent campaign. “Change your whole latitude” was the motto in commercials and on billboards all across the country by 1992. Corona trademarked that line without even informing Buffett.

Photos from July 4th 2015 on the Islamorada Sandbar: Drone and Friend's Boat. Or why you drink lighter beers in FL.
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You are there for the day as the tide goes out!
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A nightcap.
View attachment 37566
Stout from Newcastle. I’m sure some know the origin of the glassware.

I have 2 mugs that rarely get used:
  • Guinness Mug from Guinness Storehouse Dublin, Ireland
  • Mt. Baker, WA Mug. Purchased during a New Years 2001 weekend trip to Glacier, WA when all cabin glassware was questionable
IMG_1819.jpeg
 
Any hipster neighborhood in the USA has craft beer. This includes Florida cities (Miami Wynwood, Ft Lauderdale Fat Village/Oakland Park, Tampa Ybor City, St. Petersburg Midtown, etc. Just look for the hipster dress code and you will find a microbrewery:

The best hipster outfit ideas can seamlessly bring together grunge, vintage, and punk ideas to express one's state of mind. It is an alternative rustic look with a modern, funky spin. Distressed jeans, ankle boots, neon colors, bold prints, hats, denim, and plaid are commonly found elements in hipster outfits.

This stands out even more in Florida in 90f heat plus humidity. Man buns (less so these days) and beards are included.

Again, lighter beers from Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean dominate due to weather, but there are local breweries that are successful. Obviously not as many per capita as other states/regions.

Florida-known beer brands: here
  • Funky Buddha. I just wrote extensively about this topic in this thread a few days ago. Oakland Park, FL -based...a more hipster part of Ft. Lauderdale. Again, it was purchased by an F500 Company - Constellation Brands. The company has more than 100 brands in its portfolio. Wine brands include Robert Mondavi, Kim Crawford, Meiomi, Simi Winery, Ruffino, and The Prisoner Wine Company. Constellation's beer portfolio includes imported brands such as rights in the United States to Corona, Modelo Especial, Negra Modelo, and Pacífico, as well as American craft beer producer Funky Buddha. Spirits brands include Svedka Vodka, Casa Noble Tequila, and High West Whiskey, Nelson's Green Brier Tennessee Whiskey. Therefore, it was well-distributed. Popular beers are Hop Gun IPA, Floridian Hefeweizen. Can find it on East Coast.
  • Cigar City. Like @jimk said, it's the best-known brewery from the Tampa Bay area. I like the Jai Alai IPA. Nice reference to a dying SoFL sport.
  • Wynwood Brewing Company. Miami's Wynwood oldest and best.
  • Islamorada Brewing/Distellery. Sandbar Sunday Wheat. Islamorada is a famous fishing island mid-way in the Florida Keys, and infamous for sandbar boat meetups on Sundays
Worst Florida Beer - Jimmy Buffet's Landshark Lager. A poor Corona knock-off by Buffet and Budweiser - even bought stadium naming rights. A little sad after Jimmy Buffet took Corona from a poor man's Mexican beer in the 1980s to a Lifestyle Beer "Fun in the Sun":
Realizing that it had inadvertently stumbled upon lightning in a bottle, Corona went so far as to co-opt the title of Buffett’s seminal 1977 album, “Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes,” for a subsequent campaign. “Change your whole latitude” was the motto in commercials and on billboards all across the country by 1992. Corona trademarked that line without even informing Buffett.

Photos from July 4th 2015 on the Islamorada Sandbar: Drone and Friend's Boat. Or why you drink lighter beers in FL.
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You are there for the day as the tide goes out!
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Those pics of the boats on the sand bar look great. A little crowded though. But a good carnival style vibe I guess.
 
Those pics of the boats on the sand bar look great. A little crowded though. But a good carnival style vibe I guess.
It wasn't like that when we were in the Keys in August 2020. Monroe County was one of the most COVID-restrictive counties in the US. You were required to wear a mask walking on the streets in Key West.
 
I have 2 mugs that rarely get used:
  • Guinness Mug from Guinness Storehouse Dublin, Ireland
  • Mt. Baker, WA Mug. Purchased during a New Years 2001 weekend trip to Glacier, WA when all cabin glassware was questionable
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Mt. Baker - record snowfall mug.

I think both are full of dust. Maybe wash and use sometime.
 
It wasn't like that when we were in the Keys in August 2020. Monroe County was one of the most COVID-restrictive counties in the US. You were required to wear a mask walking on the streets in Key West.
Those pics of the boats on the sand bar look great. A little crowded though. But a good carnival style vibe I guess.

Yes, the great Florida pastime: get in your power boat, find a sand bar to congregate, and hang out all day floating, tubing, boat-hopping, and drinking. Fun at times, but gets old quickly. Takes place: Boca Raton inlet, Ft. Lauderdale inlet sandbar, Haulover, Miami, Islamorada, Fort Meyers, all over Tampa Bay, etc.

The Upper Keys are a bit of a mess. A continuation of the South Florida sprawl with lower elevations, more water, lots of strip malls, Walmarts, and Adult Bookstores.

However, I will go diving on the man-made wrecks down at 80-100 ft or so off Key Largo and Islamorada - Spiegel, Duane, Bibb, Eagle, etc. However, the reefs are trashed and overcrowded. Surprisingly, there is a decent amount of sea life.

My preferred area to dive is out in Big Pine Key and Key West - fewer people, less developed, and a more tropical Caribbean feel. Specifically, Looe Key Reserve off Big Pine and Sambo Reserve off Key West still have nice reefs. The Vandenberg is a good wreck too.

Diving around Miami/Ft. Lauderdale/Boca is OK - drift diving, small reefs, and lots of Lionfish and Lobsters. Jupiter can have sharks - Hammerheads, Lemons, and occasional Bull/Tiger.
 
Looe Key Reserve
That's where we dived in August 2020.
Surprisingly, there is a decent amount of sea life.
That's what we found diving off Palm Beach in May 2021 even though the coral was bleached.
Yes, the great Florida pastime: get in your power boat, find a sand bar to congregate, and hang out all day floating, tubing, boat-hopping, and drinking.
In May 2021 Liz attended Boatstock in Pinellas County's Intracoastal Waterway near Madiera Beach:
This did not end well for Liz. Her portable kayak sank so she was picked up by Harbor Patrol.
 
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It’s Friday.
I’ve just got home from farewell drinks for a work colleague who is retiring to the coastal town of Bundaberg which is few hours drive north of Brisbane.
The drinks venue was a suburban tavern just up the street from us. Typically soulless. Cold and wet and tasteless beer.
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Poker machines (you call them slot machines) have caused the death of atmosphere in Australian pubs. Our spineless governments are addicted to the tax revenue these things produce. Even though they were only introduced in the 1980s they refuse to outlaw them despite the havoc they cause for the vulnerable people in our society.
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Rant over.
I’m back home. The beer is Australian. And very good. The coaster is from Sun Valley. The glass is from, well, it’s obvious.
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Finally back to home sweet home. Getting ready for Halloween.

Took a photo of a few beer related glasses. L-R: Park City, Mad River Glen, Mt. Bachelor made of silicone, Jackson Hole coffee mug (different category, probably several more ski-mugs around the house), Jackson Hole glass, Cannon Mountain NH (commemorates original tram 1938-1980), Stein Erikson Lodge brandy snifter, Loveland, lastly Moosehead Brewery glass from recent trip to Atlantic Canada.
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^^^
It’s nice to have a souvenir from places that have good memories. Kylie is a big black tea drinker and uses her Starbucks coffee mugs daily. Here is a few but she has more that are in the dishwasher.
I broke the handle off her Aspen one so she often reminds me we’ve got to go back there for that reason (and the fact it’s a great place to ski).
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